By India Today World Desk: In the wake of episodes of violence and vandalism in protests triggered after the arrest of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto has termed the cricketer-turned-politician’s supporters as “political terrorists”. Bhutto, addressing a Pakistan Peoples Party rally on Saturday, referred to Imran Khan’s release from jail and said the country’s judiciary was “becoming more political than needed”.
Pakistan’s Dawn reported that Bhutto as saying that talks could not be held with supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who he deemed as no less than terrorists. He seconded Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif‘s notion of terming PTI supporters as anti-state elements.
“We always supported talks and even convinced our allies for it. But, how can we hold talks with terrorists? We can only hold talks with those who condemn terrorism and dissociate themselves from these political terrorists,” he said.
Comparing judiciary to ‘Tiger Force’
At his party’s rally, Bhutto decried bail granted to Imran Khan in multiple cases and commented on the nature of judges in the system. He also asked the judiciary should not “meddle in politics” and that the judiciary or any organ would not be allowed to become a party’s “Tiger Force”
He said, “When we restore democracy, the judiciary becomes more political than needed. And when there is a dictatorship, they remain silent. And once again now, our judiciary is becoming more political than needed.”
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This comes after one of the Cabinet ministers of Pakistan recently called for a ban on the PTI and said that their violent demonstrations and protests damaged public properties and stormed military installations.
“The government will bring these gangs to the book. They will be identified through CCTV footage and rounded up one by one,” Pakistan’s interior minister Rana Sanaullah said.
The statements contradicted that of Imran Khan, who called for his supporters’ nationwide protests “at the end of streets and villages” on Sunday. The PTI chief called for further demonstration, days after clashes between his followers and Pakistan security forces after his arrest by Rangers.
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In defiance of the incumbent Shehbaz Sharif’s administration, Imran Khan urged Pakistani women to “step out with handwritten placard inscribed with Haqeeqi Azadi (true freedom) and Aain Bachao Pakistan Bachao (save Constitution, save Pakistan).
“Stand with these placards outside your homes for just one hour from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm,” Imran Khan said.
WHY WAS IMRAN KHAN ARRESTED
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case by armed paramilitary forces from the premises of the Islamabad High Court on May 9.
The Islamabad High Court on Friday granted him protective bail for two weeks in a corruption case and barred the authorities from arresting the former Pakistan premier in any case registered anywhere in the country until Monday.
Khan is facing over 120 cases across the country, including for allegedly committing treason and blasphemy and inciting violence and terrorism.
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